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Monday, 25 November 2013

Introduction
Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in
Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very
different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't
ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees
fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and
stamp your birth plan will help you both. This link and this link have more info.

Get at least
two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both
English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google
Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when
you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed
to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't
want.

You might decide to change hospitals
if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving,
episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common
here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is
similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and
even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to
avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important.
Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always
get your doctor for the birth.

We have chosen to give birth to our child at _________________
Hospital under the care of Dr. __________________. We believe that their
outstanding care and concerns for the child and mother’s birthing
opinion is most important for this beautiful process. In our desire to
have the most memorable and happiest birth possible, we have listed our
preferences below. These decisions have been made after much research,
consultation and thought. Therefore, your help in achieving these goals
is very appreciated by us. You can be assured that in the unlikely event
of complications, our full co-operation will b rendered after an
informed discussion with our doctor has taken place along with adequate
time for private consideration between my partner and I. The birthing
plan is listed below.

We request that the first bath to be given – father to be present and video tape/photograph this.
This can occur 1 day after birth.
분만 그 다음날 아기의 아빠가 아기의 첫 목욕을 사진 혹은 비디오로 찍을 수 있도록 해 주세요.

If my baby is ill 아기가아플경우

Please
update us on the condition of the baby throughout delivery and post
birth – especially if baby is not well- we want to know what is going on
and planned at all times. 분만 시, 그리고 분만 이후에도 지속적으로 아이의 상태를 저희 부부에게 알려
주세요, 저희는 개인적으로 모든 사실 하나하나를 알면 더 편안히 느끼는 편입니다.

Sunday, 24 November 2013

Introduction
Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in
Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very
different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't
ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees
fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and
stamp your birth plan will help you both. This link and this link have more info.

Get at least
two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both
English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google
Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when
you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed
to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't
want.

You might decide to change hospitals
if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving,
episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common
here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is
similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and
even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to
avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important.
Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always
get your doctor for the birth.

Before Labor Begins
□ As long as the baby and I are healthy, I would like to go at least 10 to 14 days over my due date before inducing labor.
□ As long as the baby and I are healthy, I would like to have no time restrictions on the length of my pregnancy.
□ I would like to discuss laboring at home as long as possible.
□ I trust that my practitioner will seek out my opinion concerning all of the issues directly affecting my birth before deviating from my plan.
□ If NST observation becomes necessary after my due date, I am flexible and support this procedure.
□ I would like to discuss the option of induction before I reach my due date.
□ If I go past my due date and the baby and I are fine, I prefer to go into labor naturally rather than be induced.

Vaginal Exams
□ Please obtain my permission before stripping my membranes during a vaginal exam.
I prefer to have no vaginal exams until I go into labor.
□ I prefer to have only one vaginal exam on or around my due date.
□ During a vaginal exam, I prefer at no time to have my membranes broken unless there is an emergency situation.
□ I prefer minimal internal vaginal exams or at my request only.
□ I would like no internal vaginal exams, within reason, during my labor until I have an urge to push.

Hospital Admittance
□ I would like the option of staying in the hospital regardless of my dilation and the discussion of induction.
□ If I am less than four centimeters dilated, I would like to discuss with my healthcare provider the option of going home.

Induction
□ If induction becomes necessary, I would like to try natural induction techniques first (with the guidance of my practitioner)

If my water breaks before I go into labor, I would like to
□ wait 6 hours before being induced
□ wait 12 hours before being induced
□ talk to my practitioner about alternatives to treatments such as antibiotics

Environment
□ Upon arrival at the hospital, I prefer to have my partner with me at all times.
□ Please, no residents or students attending my birth.
□ I request the following people to be present during my labor and/or 2nd stage labor ____________________________________
□ Please do not allow
the following people: _____________________

I prefer to give birth in a
□ Birthing room
□ Room with a shower and/or bath
□ Delivery room
□ At home

Miscellaneous environment items (check all that apply)
□ I would like to have dimmed lights.
□ I would like for people entering the room to speak softly.
□ I would like to play music.
□ I would like no one to speak during the actual delivery.
□ I would like to wear hospital clothing.
□ I would like to wear my own clothes during labor and delivery.
I would like to be reminded to remove my clothing during the actual delivery.
□ I would like to have a TV available.
□ I would like to have a VCR available.
□ I would like to wear headsets during my labor and delivery.
□ I would like to have my birth photographed.
□ I would like to have my birth filmed/videotaped.
□ I would like to wear my glasses or contact lenses unless removal becomes medically necessary.

Pain Relief
□ Please only offer pain medications if I ask for them.
□ Please suggest pain management options for me if you see that I am too uncomfortable to handle the pain.
□ Please discuss pain management options for me as soon as possible.
□ After medical guidance for pain relief, I would appreciate some private time with my partner to discuss which pain management technique or medication I would like to use.

Other Considerations
□ Ideally, I want to be able to walk around and move as I wish while in labor.
□ I would like to feel unrestricted in accessing any sounds of chanting, grunting, or moaning during labor.
□ Please always keep my door closed while I am in labor.

Monitoring
□ I prefer the baby to be monitored.
□ Continuous fetal monitoring
Intermittently monitored to allow for as much mobility as possible

I have prepared for this birth with
□ Lamaze techniques
□ Bradley techniques
□ Childbirth Hypnosis
□ Other
□ I am seeking my practitioner's assistance with this technique.

Second Stage Labor
□ As long as the baby and I are healthy, I prefer to have no time limits on pushing.
□ If pushing for more than several hours, I am open to medical intervention in 2nd stage labor.

I would like to be encouraged to try the following different positions for labor (check all that apply)
□ Squatting
□ Classic semi-recline
□ Hands and knees
□ On the toilet
□ Standing upright
□ Side Lying
□ Whatever feels right at the time

Enemas
□ I will ask for an enema if I feel that I need one.
□ I would like to have an enema upon being admitted.

Episiotomy
□ I prefer to have an episiotomy
□ I prefer to have no episiotomy and risk tearing (unless I'm having a medical emergency)
□ If I need an episiotomy, I prefer a pressure episiotomy.

Other labor considerations
□ If possible, please allow the shoulders and body of my baby to be born spontaneously, on their own.
□ Please use a local anesthetic for repairs.
□ No stirrups please unless I'm having a medical emergency

The Delivery
Misc. (check all that apply)
□ I would like to view the birth using a mirror.
□ I would like to touch my baby's head as it crowns.
□ I would like to catch my baby and pull it onto my abdomen as it is born.
□ I would like my partner to catch my baby.
I would like the doctor to catch my baby.
□ For spiritual or religious reasons, I would like the room to be totally silent as the baby is born.
□ I would like for our baby to hear our voices first.
□ I prefer to have the lights dimmed for delivery or, if it is daylight, to access only natural light.

Pushing
□ It's important to me to push instinctively. I do not want to be told how or when to push.
□ Please tell me when to push

After Baby is Born
□ As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my baby placed immediately skin-to-skin on my abdomen with a warm blanket over it.
□ Please do not separate me and my baby until after my baby has successfully breastfed on both breasts.
□ Please delay all essential routine procedures on my baby until after the bonding and breastfeeding period (i.e., bathing).
□ Please place my baby on pulse oximetry after 24 hours of life to rule out any obvious heart conditions present at that time, as recommended by the federal government, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association.

Cesarean
□ If a C-Section is not an emergency, please give my partner and me time alone to think about it before asking for our written consent.
□ My partner is to be present at all times during the c-section.
Ideally, I would like to remain conscious during the procedure.
□ I would like the baby to be shown to me immediately after it's born.
□ I would like to have contact with the baby as soon as it is possible in the delivery room.
I prefer to have a hand free to touch the baby.
□ We would like to photograph or film the operation as the baby comes out.
We would like to film or photograph only the baby after delivery.
□ If possible, please discuss anesthesia options with me (including morphine options).
I prefer a low transverse incision on my abdomen and uterus.
□ Please respect my wishes to be quiet during the operation (e.g., avoiding "small talk" with other practitioners in the room).

Recovery (check all that apply)
□ If my baby is healthy, I would like to hold my baby and nurse it immediately in recovery.
I would like to sign any waivers necessary to permit me to be with my baby in recovery.
□ As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my partner to be the baby's constant source of attention until I am free to bond with it (i.e., holding, skin-to-skin contact, etc.).
□ I would like my baby to be sent to the nursery while I am in recovery.
Please pay special attention to our nursing needs in recovery.
□ I may need some extra help nursing after the operation.
□ I would like to have my catheter and IV removed ASAP after my recovery period.
□ Please discuss with me what I can expect to feel immediately following the procedure.
□ Please discuss my post-operative pain medication options with me before or immediately following the procedure.

Third Stage Labor
□ Please wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped.
□ Please allow my partner to cut the umbilical cord.
□ I would like to bank my baby's cord blood and have made arrangements for this procedure prior to the birth.

Placenta (check all that apply)
□ I would prefer for the placenta to be born spontaneously without the use of pitocin, and/or controlled traction on the umbilical cord.
□ I would like to have routine pitocin given to me after the placenta is born.
□ I would like to delay routine pitocin after the placenta is born unless there are any signs of hemorrhaging.
I would like the option of taking home the placenta.

Newborn Procedures
□ If the baby has any problems, I would like my partner to be present with the baby at all times, if possible.
□ I would like to have routine newborn procedures delayed until bonding and breastfeeding have occurred.
□ I would like all newborn routine procedures to be performed in my presence.
□ I would like all newborn routine procedures to be performed right away.

Administration of Eye Drops
□ I would like my baby to have eye drops administered immediately after birth.
□ I would like to delay the administration of eye drops until after breastfeeding and bonding has occurred.
□ Please do not administer eye drops to my baby, I am willing to sign a formal waiver if need be.

Vitamin K
□ I would like my baby to receive a routine injection of vitamin K immediately after birth.
□ I would like to delay the administration of vitamin K up to 1 hour after birth, after breastfeeding and bonding, unless medically necessary.
□ I would like only the orally administered vitamin K to be given to my baby.
□ Please do not administer vitamin K to my baby, I am willing to sign a formal waiver if need be.

Immunizations
□ I prefer any immunizations be postponed to a later time.
□ Immunize the baby according to normal procedures.

Bathing Baby
□ Please bathe my baby after we have had time to bond.
□ Please do not bathe my baby at all.
□ We would like to give our baby his/her first bath using our own non-toxic baby products.

Circumcision
□ Please do not circumcise my baby.
□ I would like my baby circumcised.

Other circumcision options
□ Please use a local anesthetic.
□ Please delay procedure as long as possible

PKU
□ Please do routine PKU Testing after 24 hours
□ We decline routine PKU testing at the hospital and have made other arrangements for this procedure at a later date this week.
□ We would like to wait, and delay the PKU testing until we are ready to leave the hospital

Feedings
□ My baby is to be exclusively breastfed.
□ My baby is to be formula-fed exclusively.
□ I would like to combine breastfeeding and formula feeding.
□ Please offer guidance on the issue of formula versus breastfeeding.
□ I would like to see a lactation consultant as soon as possible for further recommendations and guidance.

Do not offer my baby the following without my consent (check all that apply)
□ Formula
Pacifiers
□ Any artificial nipples
□ Sugar water

If my baby's health is in jeopardy, I would like (check all that apply)
□ To be transported with my baby if possible.
□ My partner to go with the baby.
□ To breastfeed or express my milk for my baby.
□ To have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible.
□ To be offered a room at the hospital for the duration of my baby's stay (within reason).

I would like my in-hospital routine to be
□ Full rooming in, no separation, no exceptions, unless my baby is sick.
□ Delayed rooming in until I have had time to rest.
□ Partial rooming in. I prefer to have the baby sent to the nursery at night so that I can rest.
□ Nursery care: I would like the nursery to fully care for my baby and bring it to me for feedings.

My Hospital Stay
□ I prefer that my hospital stay be
□ As short as it can be.
□ As long as it can be.

Other hospital preferences
□ I prefer a private room.
□ I prefer to have my partner stay with me for the duration of my hospital stay.
□ would like my other children (regardless of age) to be allowed to visit with me for as long as they wish or as long as hospital policy permits.
□ I would like my guests to be permitted to stay as long as they wish.
□ I want privacy during my stay and for my guests to limit the time they are visiting me.

Saturday, 23 November 2013

Introduction
Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in
Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very
different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't
ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees
fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and
stamp your birth plan will help you both. This link and this link have more info.

Get at least
two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both
English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google
Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when
you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed
to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't
want.

You might decide to change hospitals
if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving,
episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common
here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is
similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and
even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to
avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important.
Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always
get your doctor for the birth.

Questions all parents should ask
What you can ask the doctor when you feel rushed…
Is this an emergency or do we have time to talk about this?
What are the benefits of doing this?
If we do this, what other procedures might we end up needing as a result?
What else could we try first, or instead?
What if we wait an hour or two before doing this?
What would happen if we don't do it at all?
May we have a few minutes alone to talk about it?

Vaginal / Cervix Examinations
□ I would like minimal examinations
□ I am happy for examinations as deemed necessary by medical staff
□ No monitoring - except in emergency situations
Pain Relief
□ Do not offer; I will ask if I want pain relief
□ Offer if I appear uncomfortable
□ Offer as soon as possible

Medical Pain Relief Options
□ I would like to try to manage without medical pain relief options
□ Gas / Air
□ Epidural
□ Other ____________________________________________

Rupturing of the amniotic sac
I prefer my amniotic sac be allowed to rupture on its own

Episiotomy
I do not want an episiotomy unless there is an emergency situation

Delivery
□ I would like to touch baby's head when it crowns
□ I would like a mirror available to view pushing/crowning/birth

Immediately following delivery
□ I want baby placed on my chest immediately after birth
□ Please delay cord clamping and cutting until pulsating ceases
□ I would like my birth-partner to cut the cord
□ I would like to cut the cord
□ Birth-partner does not want to cut cord
□ I would like to hold the baby while the placenta is delivered
□ I do not want an injection to assist with placenta delivery
□ I would like the baby to be examined in my presence
□ If the baby cannot be examined in my presence, I would like my birth-partner to remain with the baby at all times
□ I want to donate cord blood to the public cord blood bank (if service is available)
□ I want to bank cord blood privately

Assisted Delivery
If additional medical assistance is required for the birth, I would prefer options to be discussed.

Caesarean
In the event that a cesarean section is deemed necessary, I would like the following:
Birth-partner present
Other support present ______________________________________
Photos / video
Screen lowered at delivery
I would like the procedure described as it is happening
Anything else _________________________________________________

Baby Care
□ Feeding Baby
□ I wish to breastfeed exclusively
□ I wish to breastfeed, but formula supplementation is acceptable
□ I wish to formula feed
□ I do not want baby to be given a pacifier
□ I would like to meet with a lactation consultant

Vitamin K
□ I would like my baby to have the single injection of Vitamin K
□ I would like my baby to have oral Vitamin K
□ I do not want my baby to have Vitamin K

Hepatitis B
I would like my baby to be vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine before discharge
I would not like my baby to be vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine before discharge

Any Special Dietary Requirements for the new mum
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Any other special needs for new Mum and/or birth-partner (language, religion, disability, etc)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Length of stay in hospital
□ I would like to have as short a stay as possible in hospital
□ I would like to stay in hospital for 1-2 days after the birth
□ I would like to stay in hospital for more than 2 days after the birth
In the event that baby requires special care due to trauma or illness
□ I would like to breastfeed/pump breastmilk
□ Birth-partner will accompany baby if transferred to another hospital
□ I would like to be transferred to baby's hospital

Friday, 22 November 2013

Introduction
Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in
Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very
different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't
ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees
fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and
stamp your birth plan will help you both. This link and this link have more info.

Get at least
two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both
English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google
Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when
you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed
to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't
want.

You might decide to change hospitals
if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving,
episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common
here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is
similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and
even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to
avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important.
Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always
get your doctor for the birth.

모니터링은 매 시간 첫 20분간만 해서 제가 분만 각 시기 동안 몸을 움직일수 있게 해 주세요.
EFM only for first 20 minutes of every hour to enable mother to have mobility during each phase of labor.

경막외 마취 무통 분만(에피듀럴)을 제게 시술 부탁 드립니다. 제가 원할 경우 샤워를 하게 해 주세요.분만 공, 핫팩, 마사지 등을 사용하겠습니다
I intend to have pain relief with epidural anesthesia. We would like to use of a shower, if desired for pain relief. We would like to use a birth ball, cold/hot therapy, massage for pain relief.

This basically says (at least that's what I understand from Google Translate) that they've chosen this hospital due to the excellent care and concern they believe that they'll get. It's a very memorable time. They've consulted many experts about birthing and have drawn up this birth plan. We want to work together. We'd really like to follow our birth plan unless there's an emergency. We'd like to thank you in advance for respecting our choices. We look forward to having a great labor. Thank you.

Thursday, 21 November 2013

Introduction
Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in
Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very
different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't
ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees
fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and
stamp your birth plan will help you both. This link and this link have more info.

Get at least
two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both
English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google
Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when
you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed
to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't
want.

You might decide to change hospitals
if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving,
episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common
here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is
similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and
even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to
avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important.
Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always
get your doctor for the birth.

Labor Stage 1
• Attendants will be present with mother at all times, through all stages of labor.
• My goal is to labor outside of the hospital as long as possible and request to be sent home if labor is not progressing quickly.
• Please allow me to use my birthing ball and I would request showers for pain relief.
• No IV or Hep Lock will be consented too.
• Please, no internal monitoring at all.
o If you feel fetal heart monitoring is necessary please use a Doppler.
(External monitoring will be allowed intermittently and if medically necessary.)
• No vaginal exams, for the reasons stated above.
• No pitocin or otherlabor inducing drugs.
• No epidural.
• Please do no try to restrict my food or drink intake.
• No premature breaking of waters, or membrane stripping. This will not be consented too, and may be considered assault.
• Please, no movement limitations. I change positions very often in labor.
• No stir-ups will be needed.
• No hospital gowns, please. I will bring my own.
• Lights off or dimmed. Please allow me to have a quiet, dark environment for my birth.
• Please no extra staff.
• Please allow me to decide when to push. Please do not yell at me or count while I am pushing. And please do not put time restrictions on pushing.

Labor 2nd Stage
• No episiotomy will be consented to.
(Massage with oil brought from home and a warm wash cloth will be fine.)
• Please do not use forceps.
• If you can see that it is a nuchal cord I request that you leave him or if you are well versed in the somersault technique you may try that, you may not pull, tug or try to unwrap the cord.
• If he is born with a nuchal cord, this is not a cause to cut the cord, so please do not.
• Please do not put a time limit on my delivery.

After Birth
• No pitocin, uterine massage, or cord pulling to deliver placenta
• Please place baby immediately on my chest.
o This is for skin to skin contact and it's known benefits as well as to help initiate breast feeding.
• Do not cut the cord, we will be leaving the cord intact until it stops pulsating. We feel this is the easiest and healthiest way to help our baby transition into the world and request you respect our decision.
• Do not bathe our baby, do not wipe the baby down, do not towel off the baby. We would like to leave the vernix on the baby. This is to help with temperature regulation, to protect against infection and to help the baby regulate his skin PH. Thank you for respecting our decision.
• If tearing happens and stitching is needed, please use a local anesthetic.
• Our baby will stay with parents at all times. No nursery visits.
• We request that you delay all routine exams for a minimum of 1 hour to allow for family bonding.
• Please perform all exams in the room with parents present.
• Do not give our baby any shots. We choose not to vaccinate and therefore do not consent to the Hep B shot, Vit. K shot or antibiotic ointment eye jelly.
• We will be exclusively breast feeding. Please do not give baby, bottles, pacifiers, artificial nipples, formula or water. Please do not suggest nipple shields.
• Please expedite our discharge as soon as possible. As long as there are no complications we would like to leave within 24 hours. This will help us start to settle quickly and will help you by providing more room.

I understand this plan may be inconvenient for you and your staff. Please be assured that we have researched everything in great detail. Know that I have birthed two other healthy babies and am very familiar and comfortable with my own birth process. Please respect our wishes, even if they are against your hospital policies, these are the decisions we have made, and we know our Patients Bill of Rights. Please know that we will be forced to consider any unconsented interventions an assault on mother and baby. Thank you for taking the time to read our wishes, and for respecting our decisions as parents.

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Introduction
Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in
Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very
different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't
ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees
fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and
stamp your birth plan will help you both. This link and this link have more info.

Get at least
two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both
English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google
Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when
you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed
to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't
want.

You might decide to change hospitals
if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving,
episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common
here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is
similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and
even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to
avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important.
Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always
get your doctor for the birth.

This is L's actual birth plan so you may have some differences, but this should get you started if you are planning to give birth at a Korean hospital. I do not read Korean and did not write this (just cut and pasted), so please double check this before you use it.

Other
breastfeeding support (모유 수유시)
1. I would like a lactation consultant to check the progress of breastfeeding my baby during the days after birth.
분만후 모유 수유 전문가가 일정한 시간마다 저를 방문해서 모유수유를 도와 주시기를 바랍니다.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Birth plans are very helpful and even more so if you're birthing in Korea where you may not speak the language and the culture may be very different. Here in Korea, the doctor is all-knowing and patients don't ask questions. The doctor is the expert and does whatever he or she sees fit. Sitting down with your doctor and having them read, sign, and stamp your birth plan will help you both.

Get at least two copies (one for you and one for your doctor) and have them in both English and Korean (get a friend to help or if all else fails use Google Translate). Bring it to the hospital with you. If necessary, when you're in labor you can point out (in Korean) what the doctor has agreed to when the nurse comes over and tries to do something that you don't want.

Do Your Research
You might decide to change hospitals if your doctor doesn't agree most of your requests. Enemas, shaving, episiotomies, laboring on your back with IVs and epidurals are common here. As are C-sections, with the national average around 30%, which is similar to the USA.

Every hospital is different and even within hospitals, doctors have different ideas. If you're trying to avoid a C-section, knowing your doctor's C-section rate is important. Also ask about your hospital C-section rate since you might not always get your doctor for the birth.

Here are the birth plans that I've found. Most of them are specifically for Korea. Two of them: Birthing Miracles and Earthy Mama Angel Baby aren't for Korea, but they bring up a lot of options so I've decided to include them. I don't deserve credit for any of these birth plans as I haven't written any of them. I've linked to them as well as copied and pasted them in the posts. You can also write your own birth plan. This link and this link have more info.

Childbirth International

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